Step Inside Tita Rosie's Kitchen

Contributor Ramona Bradberry explores Filipino-American author Mia P. Manansala's Filipino Recipe-Filled Mystery Series

I have never read any of the ‘Feel Good’ genre of books. Sure, I had that Bridget Jones movie phase in my twenties but I would not call keeping the subtitles on “reading.” As a Filipino-American femme, while I found Bridget’s awkwardness and insecurities relatable, little else about the ‘Basic Girl’ cliche held my attention.

This is why Filipino-American author Mia P. Manansala’s ‘Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries' was a welcome surprise as the representation I had been seeking in my media.

Arsenic and Adobo

Embarrassed and a bit humbled after a bad break up with her fiance, lead character and narrator Lila Macapagal moves from Chicago back to her hometown of Shady Palms, IL. While reconciling abandoned relationships, Lila also helps her Tita Rosie run her struggling restaurant, ‘Tita Rosie's Kitchen.’ Lila becomes the prime suspect when her high school ex and the town’s only food critic falls dead at the restaurant after she serves him dessert. Determined to clear her name and spare the reputation of her Tita Rosie, Lila launches her own investigation, one filled with both romcom and amateur sleuth tropes.

Homicide and Halo-Halo 

The consequences of Lila’s previous investigation are felt after she is asked to be a judge for the Miss Teen Shady Palms Beauty Pageant. When the head judge is found murdered and Lila’s “cousin” and nemesis, Bernadette, becomes a suspect, they must put aside their rivalry to prove her “Ate Bernie’s” innocence. This book is not as light-hearted as its predecessor as Lila struggles with PTSD, jealousy, a creative block, and insecurities about opening the Brew-ha Cafe with her best friend Adeena and her girlfriend Elena. There are also themes of familial competitiveness and the pressures of beauty pageant culture. 

Blackmail and Bibinka

Tita Rosie’s son Ronnie (Lila’s actual cousin), has come back after a fifteen-year absence with a small winery business, his associates, and little explanation as to where he has been all that time. Soon, Ronnie is accused of the murder of his investor’s fiancee. Lila, reluctantly, is on the case if only for Tita Rosie’s sake. FilAm author Manansala doesn’t shy away from topics like Filipino familial favoritism and resentment, while showing Lila’s growth as a person, entrepreneur, and girlfriend to Dr. Jae. If anything, all of the series’ characters are starting to feel more grounded.

Murder and Mamon 

An accident at the Calendar Crew’s (Lila’s godmothers: April, Mae, and June) soon-to-be-opened laundromat results in the death of Ninang April's niece who is visiting from the Philippines. Here, Manansala tackles the consequences and complexities of “tsismis” culture. As Lila gets deeper into her investigation, readers learn more about the Ninangs beyond their roles as the series' niggling but well-intentioned comic relief.

Every book comes with trigger warnings, a glossary and pronunciation guide for Filipino names and words, as well as recipes from the Macapagal family and Brew-ha Cafe. I even tried the ‘Lila’s Ube Crinkles’ recipe from Arsenic and Adobo and *chef’s kiss*.

While these books are not my first trip into the Cozy genre, they have become a favorite. Lila’s desire for independence in constant conflict with her utang na loob feels incredibly relatable. Mia P. Manansala addresses challenges in Filipino families such as familial absenteeism, addiction, and “crab mentality” but also celebrates our sense of community. ‘Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries Series’ felt like a warm hug. Manansala’s writing was so inviting and peppered with moments that felt very familiar, if not “Filipino.” This series is the positive and enthusiastic FilAm representation I've been missing. A fifth book is in the works and, as a newly-minted ‘Tita Rosie’s’ fan, I cannot wait for a pre-order notification.

About the Author: R.L. Barrios Bradberry is a Filipino-American artist, former classroom educator and mom based in the DFW area. She is a reader of books, picks 80s synth-pop on karaoke night, and laughs at her own jokes.